Embracing nature-based opportunities Elevating the nature crisis to the same priority as climate, has been a major theme of the past two COP summits, and was the focus of the UN biodiversity summit, COP15, in 2022. BRADY STEVENS, RURAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS CONSULTANT CERI RITCHIE, HEAD OF FOOD & ENTERPRISE
The UK has set a goal to halt nature decline (including
and increasingly use food as a conduit to engage with their
biodiversity loss) by 2030 and work towards nature
environments. Kantar identifies ‘eco-active’ consumers
recovery by 2050. These targets are necessary because
(those highly concerned about the environment) and
global production and consumption has pushed us
eco-considerer consumers (those worried about the
outside of planetary boundaries: Ecosystem processes
environment), with eco-actives representing 24% of GB
(such as biochemical flows, soils, and freshwater provision)
shoppers and eco-considerers 41% of the FMCG (fast
underpin at least 55% of global annual GDP and the
moving consumer goods) market, respectively. While
accumulated pressures on the natural environment
several economic factors have meant eco-actives in
put these ecosystems at risk of collapse.
Scotland have declined in the last year, Scotland is still ahead of the global trend and this group of consumers
Agriculture has been highlighted as both a contributor to
represents 23% of Scottish households and spends £2.7bn
these pressures, as well as a sector uniquely exposed to
on FMCG in Scotland.
risks of compromised biodiversity and ecosystem services. On the other hand, agriculture and other land-
BRINGING NATURE IN-HOUSE
based businesses can also play an essential, positive role
It is expected that nature and biodiversity will follow in
in mitigation, adaption and supporting recovery. Given that
the footsteps of carbon, with businesses encouraged
nature-related risks are expected to range from severe to
(and potentially required) to measure and report on their
existential (e.g., pollinator and keystone species collapse),
impacts. There are now rigorous frameworks for businesses
many progressive food & drink and diversified rural
to assess their supply chain’s nature interactions,
businesses are now going beyond compliance with
analogous to carbon audits. At SAC Consulting, we are
environmental regulation, asking not just ‘what must I do’
monitoring the development of this space so that we can
but ‘what can I do’ to influence sustainable changes
help our clients navigate the evolving landscape. Also,
throughout their supply chains.
similar to carbon, businesses that accurately measure their nature impacts, and can speak confidently on their plans
These changes are also being driven by customer choices:
to mitigate these, can differentiate themselves from their
Consumers are increasingly switched on to food’s footprint
competitors.
Perspectives Spring 2023